Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, recently handed out the draft of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Bill to journalists. This was done in response to concerns on social media claiming that the bill differed from the actual discussions within the DPR. Dasco clarified that the versions circulating online are not the same as the one being deliberated in Commission I of the DPR RI. The focus of the bill revisions is to enhance legal frameworks to prevent future violations, specifically in three key articles.
The three articles under review include Article 3, Paragraph (2) concerning defense policy and strategy coordination, Article 53 regarding the retirement age of TNI personnel, and Article 47 allowing active-duty TNI personnel to hold positions in specific ministries or government institutions. Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin had submitted a list of problem inventories (DIM) for the TNI Bill to the DPR, proposing changes to the current TNI Law. Sjafrie assured that the revisions are only directed at the three mentioned articles, ensuring civilian supremacy in the TNI’s role and activities.
Distributing the draft to journalists was intended to clarify misunderstandings and criticisms surrounding the TNI Bill. Dasco encouraged journalists to examine the draft themselves to grasp the revisions and address any concerns raised on social media. The main focus remains on upholding civilian supremacy within the TNI, with the DPR dedicated to transparent discussions and legal enhancements in defense-related policies.
